Ashley Schaus watched the man she loves propose to her sister, and she couldn't have been any happier.

Will Seaton, her soon-to-be husband, was got down on one knee and asked Ashley's 15-year-old sister, Hannah, if she would be his "best friend forever." Hannah, who has Down's Syndrome, said yes.

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"She started crying, and I gave her a hug, told her it's OK if they're happy tears," Ashley said, recalling the March 28, 2016, proposal in a field of flowers near their hometown of Santa Claus, Ind.

"I'm thinking 'Pull it together, I’m probably going to be next.'"

She was.

Will surprised his fiancé by including Hannah in their proposal, remembering Ashley's request from the previous Christmas that "it has to be two people, instead of one."

"I just did it as a joke," Ashley said.

It might not have been too big of a shock considering Will has done all he can to help Hannah since his relationship with Ashley began in 2010. Will even gave Hannah a ring that belonged to the sisters' grandmother, before placing his own great-grandmother's ring on Ashley's finger.

"He goes out of his way to make sure Hannah is taken care of," Ashley said.

Ashley Schaus

Hannah Schaus with her soon-to-be brother-in-law, Will, and her sister, Ashley.

Whether Hannah would have been part of the proposal or not, she was definitely going to play a big part of their wedding on October 7. The sisters have always been close, even with an eight-year age difference, and they've taught each other about life.

"I’d never been around somebody with special needs before Hannah was born," Ashley said. "I became more patient, understanding and accepting. ... Throughout my life as a teenager, I had more of a role model aspect than a lot of kids. I knew Hannah was watching and looking up to me."

The pair spend a lot of time together -- fishing is a favorite hobby, as is wedding planning -- and Hannah will play the part of "Best Sister" by Ashley's side on the big day.

Ashley Schaus

Sisters Ashley (left) and Hannah Schaus.

It promises to be a special moment for a close-knit family that is soon to include a newly married couple to go with the "Best Friends Forever."

"Her happiness is so genuine," Ashley said "You could see on her face how much it meant to her."